“It is vitally important that inclusion is at the heart of reforming the SEND system, so it is good that government is investing in creating specialist places in mainstream schools, so children are able to attend their local school with their friends in their local area."
Responding to the Government’s announcement of investment in creating specialist school places for children with SEND, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said:
“It is vitally important that inclusion is at the heart of reforming the SEND system, so it is good that government is investing in creating specialist places in mainstream schools, so children are able to attend their local school with their friends in their local area.
“We are also pleased government has confirmed special schools will be funded or councils will be given money to develop their own provision. We would like to see government implement a single, local funding pot, held by councils, to build appropriate provision quickly and effectively.
“We look forward to the Government’s Schools White Paper setting out a roadmap to a system that meets children’s needs more quickly and effectively, in their local mainstream school system where an EHCP is not necessary to get support, with a workforce that has the capacity and right skills.”